How to treat psoriasis at home?

Psoriasis is one of the most poorly understood diseases. Neither the causes of this disease, nor the means of its cure are known with certainty. It is believed that it is impossible to be completely cured from psoriasis. Therefore, the main goal of treatment is to achieve long-term stable remission and to reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Since this disease requires correction of nutrition, lifestyle, systematic use of drugs and non-pharmacological agents, psoriasis is mainly treated at home.

Causes and signs of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease with recurrent progression. The disease can affect various organs and tissues, but the main manifestations of psoriasis are dermatological. Red lesions are widespread on the skin, which tend to enlarge and coalesce with each other. Their surface is covered with greyish scales, which are easily scratched, revealing wet, shiny spots with "bloody dew" spots below.

The most common sites of localization of psoriatic plaque are knees and elbows, scalp, area behind the ears, lower back. The rash is most often accompanied by itching, tightness and discomfort in the affected areas.

The onset of psoriasis is associated with stress, recent infectious disease, allergies, endocrine pathologies, but, according to many experts, it is based on a genetic defect. One of the above factors is only a "trigger" that triggers the mechanism of the body's abnormal response to external stimuli.

Due to the failure, the epidermal cell division process is disturbed. The rate of death and desquamation of superficial cells increases 4 to 5 times compared to the usual cycle. As a result, the scales that do not have time to peel off naturally form hard growths - plaques.

Rules for treating psoriasis at home

The treatment of psoriasis includes two areas:

1. symptomatic- elimination of acute symptoms of the disease (external agents, antihistamines, physiotherapy);
2. pathogenetics: diet, desensitization of the body, cleansing measures, hormone therapy, etc.

In severe cases, stationary treatment is indicated, severe hormonal drugs and basic therapy can be used. The rest of the time, the patient fights the disease on his own, choosing the most effective methods through trial and error.

Psoriasis is a disease that has no one-size-fits-all solution. Remedies that work for one patient can make the other worse. An individual approach is needed here more than ever, but there are general principles to be followed for a successful treatment of psoriasis at home:

1. Listen to your body. No one except you can identify all of the factors that trigger an exacerbation of psoriasis and find remedies that will work well on your plaques.
2. It is advisable to perform self-treatment under the supervision of a dermatologist. Do not give up tests, procedures and medications prescribed by a specialist.
3. With a mild form of psoriasis, good results can be achieved by removing provoking factors and using non-drug treatments, including folk remedies. If the manifestations of the disease are very pronounced and the psoriasis progresses, “heavy artillery” in the form of hormones and cytostatics may be necessary, strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
4. Consistency and regularity are important in the treatment of psoriasis. You cannot stop using effective remedies when the first results appear. Most drugs require long treatment, first therapeutic, then - "fixation".
5. It is important to maintain normal hydration of the skin, to avoid scratching, trauma and careless removal of scabs. Plates can only be cleaned after prior softening and only if it can be done without effort.
6. Many treatments cannot be used during the acute phase. Sunstroke, climate change, spa procedures, some ointments should only be applied at the start of the stationary phase.

Psoriasis treatment: how to coat the plaques?

The most popular and effective treatments for psoriasis on the skin are pharmaceutical ointments and creams. Many topical preparations have serious side effects and should be used with caution. This is especially true for hormonal ointments, but on the issue of non-hormonal ones, it is better to consult a doctor and strictly follow the recommendations for use.

Hormone ointments

Hormonal agents in the treatment of psoriasis are indicated for persistent skin symptoms which do not respond to other therapeutic influences. The benefits of these drugs work quickly. The patient's condition is literally improving before our eyes, but this effect is misleading. After stopping use, the plaques not only return but become more intense. Hormonal ointments are addictive and, with prolonged use, damage the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, thinning and atrophy of the skin. There are also concerns that hormone-based drugs will “cause” psoriasis in the body and the disease will manifest itself in a more serious form - psoriatic arthritis.

Addiction and withdrawal effects make hormonal ointments an unwanted treatment. If possible, it is recommended to avoid their use. If necessary, use for a short time, gradually cancel.

Today, several groups of drugs are prescribed in the treatment of psoriasis:

1. Triamcinolone ointments.They have an antihistamine, antipruritic effect, relieve inflammation. They can cause local reactions, changes in skin structure, atrophy.
2. Products containing the active ingredient flumethasone.Reduces itching, has an anti-exudative effect. Negatively affect the skin, over time can cause systemic disorders.
3. Hydrocortisone ointments.Reduces capillary permeability, relieves swelling of the affected foci, but with prolonged use there is a risk of systemic disorders.
4. Betamethasone preparations.They have anti-inflammatory and anti-exudative effects. Suppresses the process of accelerated desquamation of epithelial cells. Skin disorders and systemic problems are possible.

Nonsteroidal drugs

Non-hormonal ointments are the preferred treatment for psoriasis. They do not act as quickly and strongly as hormones, but their effect is more persistent and lasting. Nonsteroidal ointments can be used for a long time without fear of addiction and the development of negative consequences.

In psoriasis, drugs with different compositions and different effects are used, many of them are combined with each other. The main groups of ointments applied:

1. Salicylic.The acid they contain softens the plaques and helps cleanse the skin. Reduces inflammation, acts as an antiseptic. The remedies are usually prescribed to remove the dander and then the affected area is treated with another remedy that contains medicinal ingredients.
2. Zinc.Dry rashes, relieve inflammation and irritation of the skin, create a protective film that prevents negative effects on the affected areas from the outside.
3. Tar.Ointments with the addition of birch, pine, coal tar have an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect. They stimulate blood circulation, improve healing of damaged skin. To remove plaque, you can add neat tar when making your own remedies. Tar ointments can be poorly tolerated, so they begin to spread over small areas in test mode. With good tolerance, the dosage is increased. Tar increases the photosensitivity of the skin, which can lead to sun allergies in summer.
4. ointments enriched with D.Calcipotriol preparations have been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. They suppress the overgrowth, reduce the plaque and prevent it from reappearing. They do not cause atrophic processes. If there is any effect, they provide stable remission. It is recommended to use it in tandem with UV therapy, the combination with salicylic ointments is contraindicated.
5. Oil-based ointments.Exfoliates plaque, relieves itching and inflammation, but requires careful use. With increased sensitivity, it can lead to worsening of the skin manifestations of psoriasis, furunculosis. These funds are contraindicated in patients with anemia, kidney disease. Treatment with these drugs is carried out outside of the exacerbation phase.
6. Vitamins.Vitamin ointments activate metabolic processes in the skin, restore tissue trophism, promote regeneration, remove peeling, slow down keratinization of cells. Retinoids and preparations based on the tandem of vitamins E, A have such properties.
7. Solid ointments.Effective agents with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, antipruritic effect. Penetrates deep into the skin and normalizes its metabolic processes. They have been used for a long time, in the absence of allergies. These ointments cannot be combined with hormonal ointments and alcohol should be avoided during treatment.

Psoriasis: treatment from the inside

It is difficult to cope with the manifestations of psoriasis with external agents alone. It is also necessary to act from the inside: desensitize, improve digestion.

1. During an exacerbation, antihistamines help relieve itching, eliminate the influence of provoking factors. In addition to the antiallergic effect, the drugs have a sedative effect.
2. Detoxification of the body is carried out with the help of sorbents.
3. The use of enzymes is recommended to improve digestion.
4. In psoriasis, liver support is important: hepatoprotectors take a course.
5. "Psoriasis" should be calm. Stress is one of the factors that trigger psoriasis. The disease itself, in turn, can lead to neurological problems: nervousness, insomnia, etc. Herbal sedatives are recommended.
6. NSAIDs can help relieve joint pain associated with psoriasis.

The appearance of a focus of infection in the body can provoke an exacerbation of psoriasis. Acute infectious and inflammatory diseases should be treated with antibiotics, as prescribed by a doctor.

How to treat scalp psoriasis at home: features

ICH psoriasis is the most troublesome for patients. It is more difficult to treat than open skin, since the presence of hair requires a special approach to therapy and the use of special means.

The treatment of psoriasis on the head at home consists of the use of shampoos, pharmaceuticals and alternative methods. Skin lesions can be either mild, as separate spots, or severe. In difficult cases, the head is covered with the so-called "crown" or "helmet" - a hard, itchy, scaly psoriatic scab, mainly along the edge of the hair growth on the forehead, behind the ears, on the neck.

Under no circumstances should you comb through and "pick up" dry scabs. They should be softened with a special keratolytic shampoo, a cleansing mask, and then gently remove the scales from the skin.

Wash your hair for psoriasis as often as needed. It is better to use special or neutral shampoos. The second group includes products for children and adults for sensitive skin. They are free from fragrances, dyes and other harmful ingredients.

From medicated shampoos you can use:

1. Tar.These products contain coal tar, which gives them a dark color and a specific odor. These shampoos are not well tolerated, so a test is necessary. Medicinal cosmetics are sold in pharmacies.
2. Zinc.They contain zinc-pyrithione, which cleans the scalp from dead scales and reduces their number, relieves itching. If allantoin, an emollient ingredient, is added to shampoo, it helps reduce dry skin and heals damage faster. Some remedies are designed to treat dandruff, but can be used for milder psoriasis.
3. Antifungal.Ketoconazole shampoos reduce flaking and itching and get rid of fungal infections on the scalp.

In psoriasis, it is advisable not to rinse the shampoo immediately, but to keep it for several minutes to several hours, so that the medicinal substances can penetrate deeper. The head should be washed gently without scratching the skin. After thoroughly rinsing off the shampoo, rinse with cold water acidified with vinegar. Avoid using a hair dryer.

Regular ointments are not suitable for lubricating dental plaque on the head. They are too oily, the hair is sticky and do not wash well. It is better to buy drugs in the form of cream, lotion, emulsion or aerosol - many manufacturers produce their products in a convenient form for treating ICH psoriasis.

Treatment of psoriasis on the head at home is successfully carried out with the help of folk remedies: masks and rinses.

Popular recipes:

• to soften the crusts, rub a mixture of oils on the scalp: base (olive, burdock) and essential (tea tree, rosemary, cypress), put on a hat and let stand until morning;
• make a paste of white or red clay with the addition of oils, spread over the head overnight;
• rub the fresh onion juice on the skin;
• rinse with a decoction of nettle, chamomile;
• mix grape, almond and coconut oil in a 1: 1: 2 ratio (in tablespoons), add 1 tbsp. cognac and honey, a few drops of lavender oil, mix well in a double boiler, apply to the head for 2 hours;
• Exfoliate scalp with sea salt and essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree) - rub and massage gently with fingertips for 5 minutes, then wash your hair;
• Prepare a mask: burdock oil, 2 yolks, alcohol tincture of marigolds, a few drops of tar and keep it on your head for 2 to 3 hours.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis

When psoriasis affects the nails, they become brittle, wavy and change color. These nails must be protected from external influences:

• do homework with gloves;
• abandon the cutting manicure;
• cut nails shortly after soaking in water;
• use a healing protective varnish.

Home treatment for nail psoriasis includes:

1. Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes that strengthen the nail plate, protect cell membranes from damage (vitamins C, E, calcium).
2. Hormonal ointments are the most effective for treating nails. When glucocorticosteroids are rubbed into the nail plate, they are practically not absorbed through the skin and do not enter the bloodstream, so their use is safe for 2-4 weeks.
3. To strengthen and moisturize the nails, daily rub sea buckthorn oil (3 times a day) and vitamin A oil.
4. To whiten and strengthen the nail plates, hot baths with cornstarch or oatmeal, infusion of celandine, nettle, twine are recommended.

Home remedies for psoriasis treatment

Herbal infusions are one of the most popular home treatments for psoriasis:

1. Infuse 1 tablespoon in a thermos overnight. l. flax seeds (per glass of water). Before going to bed, drink 2 tablets of activated charcoal, take an infusion in the morning, eat the seeds. This recipe helps detoxify the body, helping to reduce the intensity of symptoms of the disease.
2. Broth from the collection: elecampane roots (10 gr. ), calamus (12 gr. ), St. John's wort (15 gr. ) and celandine (5 gr. ). Infuse 300 ml of hot water in a thermos, leave to stand for 3 hours. Filter, take 100 ml 2 times a day.
3. 4 st. l. boil the seeds of a plow in a liter of water over low heat for 60 minutes. Filter and drink every hour on a spoon with an exacerbation, 4 times a day - in remission.
4. Birch mushroom (100 gr. ) Infuse with hot water overnight. In the morning, grind the chaga and pour the rest of the water heated to 50 degrees, leave for three days. Filter, take 100 ml before each meal.

Effectively cleanses the skin from plaques, relieves itching and soothes baths:

• with broths of sage, string, celandine, St. John's wort;
• with sea salt;
• with blue clay;
• with baking soda
• with potato starch;
• with turpentine.

Before bathing, take a shower, then pour water at a comfortable temperature (not hot), dilute the medicinal composition. Bath time - 15 to 20 minutes, of course - every other day.

To lubricate the plates, you can use fresh celandine juice or prepare an ointment: mix the ground dry herb with petroleum jelly or baby cream.

A proven buttercream (5 parts) with propolis (1 part). Put in a double boiler, mix well and let cool. Lubricate the plate with hydrogen peroxide before use.

Diet for psoriasis

Psoriasis is often associated with food allergies. Many patients know exactly which foods make them worse. Others believe that nutrition does not significantly affect their condition. In any case, it is recommended to stick to a diet, at least during an exacerbation:

• exclude cocoa, chocolate;
• refuse the coffee;
• do not eat spicy food;
• avoid preservatives and other additives;
• limit citrus fruits, red vegetables and fruits;
• completely prohibited alcohol (especially beer).

Apart from the exacerbation, the diet can be expanded with "harmful" products, but at the same time carefully monitor the reaction of the skin.

Long-term remission can be achieved with diet, a healthy lifestyle, and home remedies for psoriasis. But if folk remedies clearly do not help, then you need to "surrender" to the dermatologist and not give up on the procedures and drugs he offers. After relieving the exacerbation with the help of official drugs at home, it will be easier to engage in relapse prevention.